Your Niche Will Help Clients Find You

The ICA community is simply my crowd! I am so excited to launch my own coaching practice with the Leadership Presence and Confidence focus. The ICA advanced program armed me with all I possibly needed and even more for a successful coaching business!
 - Halina Matsarskaya (ICA Graduate, USA)

Every ICA Coach Graduates with Their Own Niche

Rather than offering a stand alone module or class, the opportunity to explore and identify your niche has been integrated into ICA's curriculum.


Having taught coaches and coaching in over 90 different countries around the word and in both English and Chinese, we have a deep understanding of how coaching is practiced in a variety of niches, countries and languages. From this we have developed a philosophy and training framework that will equip you with the necessary skill to coach anyone, anywhere in the world.

And, we strongly recommend that you explore and identify a coaching niche.  This is something that might change over time, and as you mature as a coach.  You might begin as a Life Coach, but then decide to narrow that down further and become a Retirement Coach.  Or, you might develop an interest in health and well being and become a Fitness Coach. Your niche will define who you are as a coach, and who your clients will be.


Robyn Logan, CEO and Founder

The Difference Between Coaching and Other Disciplines

Consulting, mentoring and counselling are very different approaches to problem solving, goal setting and creating change than coaching.  But, they do blend well with coaching (and it's also important to know when to refer).

As a Coach you get to live one of the most amazing and fulfilling lifestyles on the planet. You can choose your clients, choose your hours and stay learning and growing for the rest of your life. All while making a positive impact on people's lives and the planet we live in.

Coaching must be Contextual, Cultural, Integrated and Client Driven

Clients are looking for specialised coaches who can help them with specific challengers.  The best coaches integrated their years of experience and knowledge into highly crafted coaching niches.

Coaching is Contextual

At ICA we believe that coaching is increasingly contextual. As more and more people become acquainted with the power of coaching it is being used in more diverse situations and environments. We are no longer looking at “Life coaching” or “Executive coaching” as being the two key coaching styles, we are now seeing yoga coaching, parent coaching, adoptions coaching, even pet coaching.

For that reason, we teach the skill of coaching. And, then encourage students to identify their niche as a way of showcasing their coaching uniqueness.

Coaching is Cultural

‘Cultural Competencies’ is a different concept to “Cross Cultural Coaching” The latter is a process whereby the coach is working with a client on cross cultural issues. These could be challenges around relocating to another country, or challenges to do with managing a diverse cultural team for example. “Cultural competencies” on the other hand describe the skills and competence of the coach, and their ability to work with clients from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

Coaching is Integrated

As coaching moves into more and more professions and industries the concept of keeping it ‘separate’ from other developmental approaches such as managing, training, mentoring or even counselling, is no longer viable. The coaching relationship and structure has to be integrated. In a company for example it is often the CEO, Team Manager or HR Manager who instigates the coaching and there are often very specific goals that the company has. It is not always so clear where the coaching ends and where it begins.

Coaching is Client Driven

No matter what style of coaching you employ, there is no debate about the fact that it will be different depending on the client. As a coach you really need to meet the client first, and identify their objective before choosing which coaching model you will use. People use the internet more and more for "shopping research". To be found online when your prospective clients search for you, you need to be listed under something more specific than "coach".

Robyn Logan (CEO) chat's with ICA Coaches

In this panel discussion, Robyn Logan (CEO) speaks with ICA students and Graduates about their unique coaching identities, their passions,  and how they found (or are finding) their coaching niche


Robyn Logan, CEO, International Coach Academy

What Sort of Coach Will You Be?

Identify the unique skills and knowledge you ALREADY have, and discover which markets or industries have the most potential for you.  Then create your own coach development plan - a road map to get you from where you are now to where you want to be.

Map Out Your Coaching Future